News
Brad Bell chats on B&B's new opening, a Spencer preview & reality-soap hybrid!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Earlier this week, On-Air On-Soaps caught up with the executive producer and head writer of The Bold and the Beautiful during the series 6000th episode milestone celebration. Bell, who along with his creative team have won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series for two years running, look to be one of the odds-on favorites for a nomination going into this year’s competition with their new storytelling process of blurring the lines of reality drama, as they have successfully done with the homeless story and the lung cancer storyline.
Bell gave us his thoughts on the changes made to the new and exciting opening title sequence – fashion runway theme- debuting to audiences on February 21st, where his story focus is going to be as we move out of winter and into the beginning of Spring, and his success with socially relevant topics in the new B&B way of storytelling on soaps. Here’s our “quickie” chat with Brad!
So what did you think of the new opening? Is everything you had set out for it to be? And, how did the whole concept come about?
BRAD: I love it and we are going to be tweaking it before we air it. It is high-def and computer generated. We were working with CBS Digital and saw their Dancing with the Stars opening, and I got sick of looking at the current one, which I like, but it has been six and half years! And with this renewal from CBS, we really wanted to celebrate and say, “We are not on our way out. We are reinventing ourselves.” We take the audience’s time as very valuable and very seriously. So instead of looking at the same thing everyday that is mind-numbing, we thought, why not make it a little more interesting!
Are we going to continue to see B&B blur the lines of reality and daytime drama…as you have done with the homeless storyline and now with the lung cancer story? Will a new social issue be presented on the series every quarter of the year?
BRAD: I would not say we would do a social issue every quarter, but it is something we are going to continue doing, which is this style of keeping our characters in character and bringing in real people. It’s like a hybrid of reality and real daytime drama. That is our technique, and we are going to continue it subtly. We understand our primary purpose is to entertain, but if we can sneak in a little information and education on important topics that seem to fit organically within the show, we are going to do it.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
The 6000th episode that aired this week… are you very, very proud of it?
BRAD: I am very proud of it, and this is why we made it the 6000th episode. We knew it being the 6000th episode would bring a spotlight to it. It is saying we are a different production company and an evolving production company, and we are proud of it and proud of who we are. It’s very exciting!
What can fans of B&B look forward to as we move into spring?
BRAD: I am very excited about the Spencer family right now. I think Amber with her n’er-do-well mother, Tawny, are bringing that life and energy and humor and plot that comes with these characters. I am excited about seeing her interact with Liam. I think they are going to be a dynamic duo as the plot unravels. Also, we have Jacqui MacInnes Wood back and she is going to have her eyes on Bill Spencer. So Heather Tom’s “Katie” is going to have a rival! I feel very confident handing Heather the ball, because she delivers. It’s cool, because the Spencer family is now part of the fabric of the show. Don Diamont has done such a great job and they will all be something to watch in the coming months.
Will you continue to tell Stephanie’s lung cancer story?
BRAD: We have to continue to tell the lung cancer story with Stephanie, because Kathryn Joosten calls me and pesters me all the time! (Laughs) She is an amazing advocate for awareness for lung cancer. We are committed to Stephanie’s cancer, and doing as honest and a real a portrayal as we can.
For more coverage and interviews from B&B’s 6000th episode celebration, check out On-Air On-Soaps setside report and photo gallery here. And, interviews with Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) here, and Jack Wagner (Nick) here.
ABC has named their ‘Bachelor’ for the upcoming 30th season of the reality series. Sam Hartman, a 27-year-old NFL quarterback who plays playing for the Washington Commanders, will be handing out the roses as he searches for love.
The upcoming season of The Bachelor will premiere in 2027 on Sunday, March 21 at 8 p.m ET. on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S.
The announcement was made, and Hartman’s first interview was on the Friday, November 13 edition of Good Morning America, where he shared with cohosts Sam Champion and Rebecca Jarvis: “I’m excited but also very nervous, I have a tough time holding conversation with one girl. 30 is going to be pretty tough.”
Photo: NFL
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS QB WRESTLED WITH THE NOTION OF BECOMING THE BACHELOR
Hartman also revealed his initial thoughts on appearing on The Bachelor: “Honestly, at first, I was like ‘no way. The connotation of it − I don’t know.” Ultimately the QB was swayed to take on the reality franchise lead for its upcoming season.
A Charlotte, North Carolina, native, Hartman played for Wake Forest and Notre Dame in the college ranks. It was there he set ACC records, including most career touchdown passes and 300-yard passing games. Sam was also featured in the documentary series QB1: Beyond the Lights. Currently, on the NFL’s Washington Commanders, he serves as a quarterback on their practice squad.
FORMER ATHLETES THAT ALSO GAVE OUT THE FINAL ROSE
The pick of Sam Hartman aligns with pro athletes who have appeared on the show in the past including: now ‘Bachelor’ host, NFL quarterback Jesse Palmer, former soccer player Juan Pablo Galavi, ace car driver Arie Luyendyk Jr. and former NFL practice squad player Colton Underwood.
The Bachelor is executive produced by Scott Teti, Jason Ehrlich and Andy Frank serve as executive producers.
You can check out Sam Hartman talking about being cast as the series lead for the upcoming season 30 of The Bachelor with GMA below.
Now let us know, will you be checking out the 2027 season of The Bachelor featuring Sam looking for love? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.
In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.
Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”
Photo: ABC
In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.
STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING
Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”
She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”
Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”
Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
Soap opera fans are always clamoring for when Dancing with the Stars reveals their cast each season, that they would include a familiar face from daytime drama, but it rarely happens, if ever, anymore.
Over the last several years, the series has leaned heavily into casting celebrities with massive TikTok or Instagram followers, which in turn, have helped this season and last have their best ratings numbers in years.
But, how about for next season’s cast of Dancing with the Stars, that it could include newly-awarded Daytime Emmy winner, Ambyr Michelle (Eva Thomas) of Beyond the Gates?
Photo: CBS
LOVE OF DANCE TO LOVE OF ACTING
Michael Fairman TV spoke to Michelle about her dance background and if she would love a shot at lifting the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy during Wednesday’s November 11, livestream chat on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Ambyr explained to fans (who joined in on the live chat), how she began her show business career. “I started off as a dancer, first and foremost. Acting wasn’t really something I wanted to go after. I did plays when I was younger, but it was just something we did in school, but I really wanted to be a dancer. I moved out to LA to dance, and I fell out of love with dance, which was so weird.”
This year’s Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series winner, added, “I was like, ‘What is going on?’ I moved all the way out here for dance. I found I was forcing myself to go to dance class, and I just didn’t have the passion for it. I was working at this restaurant at the time, and one of my coworker was like, ‘What about taking an acting class out here?'”
Next, Ambyr took the coworker up on the idea. “So, I took an acting class and I fell in love with it that day,” shared Michelle. “I was like, ‘I want to do this for the rest of my life.’ I thought, I would love to book a role, of course, as a dancer, but I think acting has a little bit more longevity.”
Photo: ABC
A SHOT AT THE LEN GOODMAN MIRRORBALL TROPHY
When the talked turned to if Ambyr would consider or be interested in appearing on the ballroom dance competition series, she piped up with, “I would love to do Dancing with the Stars! Pick me!”
As those in the live chat rallied around this idea, it made us think, Ambyr could be the first contestant from Beyond the Gates, and someone representing the soaps. It checks off so many boxes! To which Ambyr replied, “That would be beautiful.”
You can check out the full conversation with Ambyr below.
So, what do you think soap fans? Can we make sure Ambyr’s name gets in front of the producers and casting director for next season’s Dancing with the Stars? Would you like to see her in the competition? If so, who would be your dream pro professional dance partner for her? Let us know in the comment section.
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‘The Bachelor’ Names NFL Quarterback Sam Hartman as Lead for Season 30
‘One Life to Live’ and ‘General Hospital’ Actress Bree Williamson Mourns the Loss of Husband Michael John Roberts
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Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
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‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: ‘Miss Beehavin’
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‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Tamara Tunie On Bittersweet Emmy Win Without Scott Bryce: ‘I Only Wish He Had Been Here a Little Longer to Share This With Me’
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
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Well,well, Brad Bell gives out some tidbits of what the show has comming up this spring. What caught my eye was Dollar Bill and Steffy. Brad had made a believer out of me that he has no respect for children/women/ or families.
This no-writer made his character of Brooke a career bed hopping Forrester slut with a couple of son in laws and plenty of baby mama drama to boot and now trying to make her into a Saint. Not before having her hike her leg up and screwing her teenage daughter’s ex-boyfriend, against the wall like a $2.00 whore.
But what has me wondering is how can you give Brooke and Ridge a son, RJ, and never use him? Brad make Brooke and Ridge a joke. He got Hopeless trying to become the next Brooke by staying glued to Bill’s rat face looking(Liam) hamster. She had a full paid scholarship for college, but she had to have Ollie Oil. Nobody is working except tryng to look down on Amber, when all of them including Hopeless are no better.
Brad Bell . too bad you don’t have what made your Father and Mother two of the best writer’s on the planet.
Wow! It sounds like you’re really hooked on the show. It’s definitely the show you love to hate. What fun would it be to watch a show where you agreed with everything?
Brad Bell, I got to be fair. You are trying some what to take the show in a more positive direction. Stephanie and Nick’s lung cases were Real eye opener for a lot of people. They both are on point with their action of how illness effect the entire family.
The homeless needed to be address but just giving Dayzee the spotlight make it look kind of pointless when there is so many other people that are still in need of help. Then to get rid of Marcus so that you can hook up Thomas and Dayzee turn me off. I am a black woman and feel that it was bad enough the way you did Marcus Father when he came to town. Donna, who kept the news from him all these years, who I have watch this show from the start and never heard of him. Letting Eric adopt Marcus and treating his real Father like dirt, and years later, him and Donna are so in love . That’s bull shi!.
And the Amber mess with the nasty trailer makes you look like a big hater for poor people.
I disagree with you about Dayzee and Marcus. What you don’t realize is that Bell is doing Dayzee’s portrayer, Kristolyn Lloyd, a huge complement. He’s positioning her into a classic love triangle with Thomas and Marcus. Bell is trying to integrate Dayzee into the fabric of the show by having her involved with two Forrester men. Triangles are what make soap characters interesting.
As for Marcus, the actor who portrays him, Texas Battle, like the actress who portrays Steffy, has side projects outside B&B, like feature films and takes breaks from the show. Bell incorporates these breaks into the show.
As an African-American woman, I get what the previous poster is saying. It’s great to see relationships irregardless of color, but that is not the real world. We also want to see an honest depiction of Black on Black love, which is rare in Daytime. And the scenes beween Thomas & Dayzee looked forced. There is no chemistry between the two. Now Amber & Marcus; there is definitely chemistry between those two! If Bell & the other writers really want to show scandal & punch to this storyline, let the baby turn out to be Marcus’ & then reveal a shocking twist – that Marcus & Amber planned this scam all along, & that Marcus is NOT Justin & Donna’s biological child. Was there ever a DNA test done to prove it? Perhaps Owen knew about it? Remember, Owen & Marcus entered the show together. Perhaps they were grifters scamming both the Forresters & Marones all along! What a hell of a twist THAT would be!
So Steffy is back and has not grown up yet. Steffy is written to be such trash. If Steffy is supposed to be exciting and daring, she is coming across as trashy, immature and nutty. Why not give her a man closer to her level of immaturity? Steffy is fits in the teen line with Liam, Hope and Oliver.
Why call Steffy trashy when every since Brooke hooked up with Ridge that’s all the show has been about, Brooke do the entire Forrester family and the Logan girls sex romps.
Brooke was a grown woman when she hiked her leg up to screw during her daughter’s Graduation. If you want to call someone trashy, be sure to include Donna/Katye/Dollar Bill/Ridge/Owen/Nick/ and the rest of the crew who think it’s all right to have sex on the job. I would like to see some good Fashion Shows.
You guys sound kinda crazy…LOL